Split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method

ABSTRACT

A split-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method wherein the image of an object positioned on a slide is split into two optical paths, and is magnified to a varying degree in each optical path, the resulting respectively magnified images being displayed on respective monitor devices. The initial optical path includes an objective and a splitter; the paths of lower magnification and higher magnification each include a TV camera and a TV monitor, and may include various optical elements in accordance with the four disclosed embodiments. Further features of the invention include the following: provision of a microcomputer with data entry means, and respective mixers disposed between the TV cameras and their monitors for insertion of identifying information into the video signal, with subsequent display on the monitors of the identifying information and the image of the object being microscopically viewed; provision of a photographic printer for producing a hardcopy record of the image viewed; and provision of a lens switching arrangement for selection of various objectives without the necessity of refocusing after a lens is switched into position.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. Ser. No. 697,730 filed onFeb. 4, 1985, .Iadd.now U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,973.Iaddend..

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a split-image, multi-power microscopicimage display system for use in viewing simultaneously two images of thesame object or specimen, each image having a different magnificationwith respect to the other.

BACKGROUND ART

In certain microscopic viewing applications, such as microscopicexamination of chromosomes, it is necessary for the technician to view arelatively large area of the specimen under a lower magnification powerin order to locate a particular smaller area to be viewed, and then toswitch magnifications and refocus in order to view the smaller area ofconcern under a larger magnification. Much time is wasted performingthese manipulations, and it is quite inefficient and inconvenient forthe technician to have to refocus the microscope after switching to ahigher magnification.

Accordingly, it would be considered highly desirable to provide asplit-image microscopic image display system and method having multiplemagnification powers, and it would especially be desirable to providesuch a system with the capability of simultaneously viewing anddisplaying on two monitors both the larger area of general interest andthe smaller area of specific interest. Moreover, it would also beconsidered desirable to provide such a system with the capability ofproducing, on operator command, a hardcopy of the images displayed oneither of the monitors (the high-power monitor or the low-powermonitor).

In some applications, it might be desirable to provide such asplit-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and methodwith a type of lens switching apparatus whereby lenses of varyingphysical characteristics, can be manually and yet easily employed as theobjective lens in the microscopic image display system and method.However, as mentioned previously, the technology of the prior art issuch as to require a refocusing of the microscope each time a new lensis switched into place for use as the objective. Therefore, it isconsidered desirable to provide a lens switching arrangement whereinrefocusing is not required each time a new lens is switched intoposition.

The following patents are generally pertinent to the present invention:U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,527,719; 2,699,092; 2,950,649; 3,030,861; 3,057,259;3,353,891; 3,459,464; 3,488,104; 3,503,684; 3,871,741; 3,895,854;4,218,112; and 4,440,475.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a split-image, multi-power microscopicimage display system and method.

Specifically, the present invention relates to a microscopic imagedisplay system and method wherein the optical image of a specimen is, asa result of the employment of a splitter, directed along two opticalpaths. In each embodiment of the invention, a first optical pathincludes a trinocular microscope head for operator viewing of thespecimen during initial microscopic setup, in combination with a firstTV camera to which the image is presented as an optical input and afirst TV monitor connected to the first camera for producing a visualimage of the specimen magnified in accordance with a first magnificationpower. The second optical path of each embodiment includes a bendingprism for presenting to a second TV camera, as an optical input thereto,an image of the specimen magnified in accordance with a secondmagnification power, and a second TV monitor connected to the second TVcamera for presenting a visual image thereof.

In a first embodiment of the invention, a relatively high powerobjective lens is employed to achieve a magnified image of the specimenin accordance with a higher magnification power, and a combination oflenses in the second optical path demagnifies the magnified image toprovide an image of the specimen magnified in accordance with a lowermagnification power.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a relatively low powerobjective or lithography lens is employed to achieve a magnified imageof the specimen in accordance with a lower magnification power, and amagnification lens is provided in the first optical path to magnify thealready magnified image so as to provide an image of the specimenmagnified in accordance with a higher magnification power.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a relatively low power objectiveor lithography lens is employed to achieve a magnified image of thespecimen in accordance with the lower magnification power, and one ofthe TV cameras is operated in such a way as to underscan the magnifiedimage of the specimen so as to achieve display, on the associated TVmonitor, of a further magnified view of the magnified image of thespecimen, thus effectively providing an image of the specimen magnifiedin accordance with the higher magnification power mentioned above.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a relatively low powerobjective or lithography lens is employed to achieve a magnified imageof the specimen in accordance with the lower magnification power, and amagnifying lens is employed in a first optical path so as to furthermagnify the image of the specimen, achieving magnification in accordancewith a somewhat higher magnification power, and a further magnifyinglens (or Barlow lens) is employed in a second optical path so as toachieve further magnification of the image of the specimen, resulting inmagnification of the specimen in accordance with an even highermagnification power.

Preferably, the microscopic image display system and method of thepresent invention includes a microcomputer having an operator inputmeans (such as a keyboard) for inputting information pertaining to thespecimen being viewed, in combination with a mixer connected between themicrocomputer and the TV camera(s), on the one hand, and the TVmonitor(s), on the other hand, for displaying on the TV screen, as aninset, the information pertinent to the particular specimen beingviewed. As a further preference, the microscopic image display systemand method includes a slave monitor or monitors, each slave monitorbeing connected to an output of a respective one of the TV monitors, thesystem and method further including one or more respective photographicprinters, each photographic printer being connected to a respective oneof the slave monitors for producing a hardcopy record of the image beingdisplayed at a particular time.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the microscopicimage display system and method is provided with an objective lensswitching apparatus by means of which the operator can switchably employtwo or more lenses of varying characteristics as the objective lens ofthe microscopic image display system and method. However, in accordancewith this feature of the present invention, each time the operatorswitches the lens into position, it is not necessary for the operator torefocus the microscope.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide asplit-image, multi-power microscopic image display system and method.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide amicroscopic image display system and method having at least two opticalpaths, each optical path providing a visual image of a specimenmagnified in accordance with a respective magnification power.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide amicroscopic image display system and method employing at least two TVcameras and at least two respectively associated TV monitors for viewingthe respective magnified images of the specimen.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide amicroscopic image display system and method having the capability ofproducing a hardcopy record of the specimen being viewed.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide amicroscopic image display system and method wherein information relevantto the particular specimen being viewed can be electronically insertedinto the TV signals so that it can be viewed simultaneously with themagnified image of the specimen.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide amicroscopic image display system and method having a lens switchingapparatus for providing the operator with the capability of switchingvarious lenses into place without the need for refocusing after eachlens switching operation.

The manner in which these and other objects are accomplished by thepresent invention will become clear from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the microscopic image displaysystem of FIG. 1, as viewed along the arrow D in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram further disclosing the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a top view and a section view (along line B--B' ofFIG. 5A), respectively, of a lens switching arrangement employed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the second embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a third embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the third embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the fourth embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to thefigures of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention, white FIG. 2 is a top view ofthe first embodiment of the microscopic image display system. As seentherein, the system 10 comprises a stage 12, specimen slide 14,objective lens 16, splitter 18, trinocular microscope head 20, firstcamera 22, first TV monitor 24, field (converging) lens 26, diverginglens 28, reduction lens 30, bending prism 32, neutral density filter 33,second TV camera 34, and second TV monitor 36. Diverging lens 28 andreduction lens 30 form a demagnifying lens 31.

The objective 16 is preferably a 100X microscope objective having a highnumerical aperture (1.3-1.4). Moreover, the optical output of theobjective 16 must be characterized by a 15° divergence.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amountof image provided as an optical output of the objective 16 covers anarea of approximately 700 microns, but an image data area of only 350microns is desired for display on the monitor 36; moreover, the imagearea of 350 microns preferably fills the entire display area of themonitor 36. This is accomplished by proper design choice of thefollowing parameters: (1) the distance between the objective 16 and thefield lens 26; (2) the distance between the field lens 26 and the lens38 of camera 22; and (3) the reduction factor, that is, the ratio of thefocal length of reduction lens 30 to the focal length of diverging lens28.

Field lens 26 is preferably a 61 mm. double-convex converging lensmeasuring 16 (±5) diopters. As is well-known, a diopter is the inverseof the focal length.

Diverging lens 28 is preferably a 102 mm. compound lens, such as aprojection lens, which takes converging light (emanating from the fieldlens 26) and converts it to parallel light.

Reduction lens 30 is preferably a 28 mm. lens, such as is typicallyemployed in a 35 mm. camera, for reducing the parallel light imagecoming from the diverging lens 28.

Bending prism 32 is any conventional light-bending prism employed forthe purpose of bending light coming from reduction lens 30 so as todirect it toward camera 34. In this regard, it is to be noted that afirst inversion of the image of the specimen takes place as a result ofbending by the splitter 18, whereas a second inversion of the imagetakes place as a result of bending by the prism 32. It is to be furthernoted that the camera 34 is disposed in an inverted manner, with its topfacing downward (in FIG. 1), whereas the monitor 36 is disposed on itsside (as also shown in FIG. 1).

As a result of the latter arrangement, the image viewed on monitor 36corresponds precisely, in orientation, to that viewed through themicroscope directly (via the trinocular microscope head 20). Moreover,the arrangement is such that movement of the slide 14 (and its specimen)in a given direction will result in a movement of the image on monitor36 in the corresponding direction on monitor 36. Finally, the placementof monitor 36 on its side results in vertical orientation of the scanlines of the monitor, thus, facilitating viewing by the user.

Neutral density filter 33 (preferably, a Kodak Wratten No. 96) isdisposed at some point in the optical path to the camera 34, preferablybetween prism 32 and camera 34 (FIG. 2), to compensate for an increasein light intensity occurring due to reduction in the second opticalpath.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the first embodiment of thepresent invention, as viewed along the line D in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG.1, and as confirmed in FIG. 3, the camera 22 is preferably oriented withits top facing to the left in FIG. 1, while the monitor 24 is disposedon its side. As a result, the specimen as viewed through the trinocularmicroscope head 20 will correspond precisely in orientation to the viewof the specimen displayed on the monitor 24 and viewing is facilitated.As best seen in FIG. 3, the trinocular microscope head 20 provides theuser with the capability of viewing the fully magnified (100X) image ofthe specimen directly, that image being conveyed via the objective 16,splitter 18, further splitter 40 in the trinocular microscope head 20,and binocular viewing arrangement 42. The trinocular microscope head 20is a conventional item available in the marketplace; for example, such atrinocular microscope head is manufactured by Olympus of Japan.

In order to provide the system with the aforementioned viewingcapability, the present invention calls for the mounting of thetrinocular microscope head 20, by suitable means, on the end of thecamera 22 such that the distance B+C from the objective 16 to thebinocular viewing arrangement 42 equals the distance A from theobjective 16 to the camera 22 (specifically, the input lens 38 thereof).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the operation of the system is asfollows. The specimen to be viewed is placed on the slide 14, and theslide 14 is placed on the stage 12. The technician then adjusts theslide 14, using the trinocular microscope head 20 or the monitor 36 toview the specimen on slide 14. As mentioned previously, the arrangementis such that movement of the slide 14 in a given direction will resultin precisely the same movement of the specimen on the monitor 36.

Once the specimen is properly positioned, the technician views thespecimen under a lower magnification power (for example, 20X) on monitor36 and under a higher magnification power (for example, 100X) on monitor24. This simultaneous viewing of the specimen under lower and highermagnification powers is achieved without the need for switching oflenses and without any need for refocusing.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram further disclosing the system of the presentinvention. As seen therein, the system comprises the previouslydiscussed cameras 22 and 34 and monitors 24 and 36, and furthercomprises a microcomputer 50, keyboard (or other input means) 52, mixers54 and 60, slave monitors 56 and 62, and photographic printers 58 and64.

In operation, in the course of positioning a specimen on the slide 14(FIG. 1), the technician uses the keyboard 52 to enter informationrelevant to the specimen into the microcomputer 50, the microcomputer 50being appropriately programmed and configured to provide analogrepresentations of the entered information to the mixers 54 and 60. Asan example, the microcomputer 50 can be configured to include a VideoMemory Board MFB-512-8-4-M and an A/D, D/A board MFB-512-8-1-M,manufactured by Imaging Technology, Inc. of Woburn, Mass., for thepurpose of generating analog representations of information entered viakeyboard 52.

The mixers 54 and 60 are conventional analog mixing devices, availablein the marketplace, for mixing the analog video signals from the cameras22 and 34, respectively, with the analog representations ofoperator-entered information provided by microcomputer 50, so as togenerate a mixed video signal for provision to the monitors 24 and 36,respectively. As a result, monitors 24 and 36 display both theoperator-entered information and the image of the specimen.

The system further provides the capability, via photographic printers 58and 64, of producing a hardcopy record of the image displayed on themonitors 24 and 36, respectively. This can be accomplished in either oneof two alternate ways: first, the cameras 22 and 34 can provide a directoptical output to the photographic printers 58 and 64, respectively; orsecond, slave monitors 56 and 62 can be connected to the output ofmonitors 24 and 36, respectively, so as to produce appropriate inputs tothe photographic printers 58 and 64, respectively. The photographicprinters 58 and 64 are, by way of example, implemented by an automaticprint processor such as the "47th Street Photo Speed Printer"manufactured by the 47th Street Darkroom Center of New York, N.Y.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are top and sectional views, respectively, of a lensswitching arrangement which can be employed with the system of thepresent invention. As seen in the figures, the lens switchingarrangement comprises a frame member 160 in which a rotatable, circulardisc-like member 162 is positioned, member 162 being rotatable withinthe member 160. The member 162 includes receptacles in which aredisposed respective lens arrangements 164, 165 and 166.

More specifically, each of the lens arrangements 164, 165 and 166 has adifferent magnification power so that, by rotating the member 162 withinthe frame member 160, lens arrangements of different magnificationpowers can be moved into position in the optical path, thus providingvariable magnification of the object being viewed.

In the prior art, it is well-known to provide a lens switchingarrangement wherein lenses of differing magnification may be rotatedinto position in the optical path. However, a significant drawback tosuch prior art arrangements resides in the fact that, after rotatingeach lens into position, it is necessary to refocus the microscope withwhich the lens switching arrangement is being used.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, there is nonecessity to refocus the microscope when a new lens is switched intoposition in the optical path. This is due to the fact that, inaccordance with the invention, and as seen in FIG. 5B, each lensarrangement 164, 165 and 166 includes a pair of lenses 164a and 164b,165a and 165b, and 166a and 166b, respectively. More specifically, thepresent inventor has discovered that, by superimposing positive diopterlenses 164b, 165b and 166b on top of the negative diopter lenses 164a,165a and 166a, respectively, and by arranging for a predetermineddistance to be established between the negative diopter lens and itssuperimposed positive diopter lens, refocusing of the microscope aftereach switch to a new lens arrangement is unnecessary.

Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 1, 5A and 5B, in accordance with afurther feature of the invention, a lens switching arrangement as shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B can be substituted for the objective lens 16 ofFIG. 1. This will provide the microscope image display system with thecapability of switching objective lenses, thus providing the user withfurther flexibility in the establishment of split-image multi-powerdisplays.

Further embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to various figures of the drawings. In the subsequentlydiscussed figures of the drawings, elements identical to thosepreviously discussed above are identified by reference numerialsidentical to those employed above.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention, while FIG. 7 is a top view ofthe second embodiment of the microscopic image display system. Thedifference between this second embodiment and the first embodimentalready discussed resides in the fact that, in the second embodiment, alower power objective 180 (preferably, a 20X objective or lithographylens) is employed between the specimen 14 and the splitter 18 to producea relatively low power magnification of the specimen. This magnifiedimage of the specimen is provided, via an optical path which is devoidof any optical elements, to bending prism 32 which directs the magnifiedimage to TV camera 34. As a result, a relatively less magnified image ofa larger portion of the specimen is displayed on TV monitor 36.

A further difference between the second embodiment and the firstembodiment resides in the fact that, in the second embodiment, themagnified image from objective 180 is provided, via splitter 18, to amagnifying lens 182 (preferably, a 5X diverging lens) in another opticalpath, the lens 182 further magnifying the already magnified image andproviding that further magnified image to the optical input of TV camera22. As a result, a fully magnified image of a smaller portion of thespecimen is displayed on TV monitor 24.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a third embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention, while FIG. 9 is a top view ofthe third embodiment of the microscopic image display system. Thisembodiment of the invention is identical to the second embodiment,discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, with one exception. Inthis embodiment of the invention, the magnifying lens 182 (FIGS. 6 and7) of the second embodiment is dispensed with. In this embodiment,further magnification of the already magnified image emanating fromobjective 180 and splitter 18 is achieved by operating TV camera 22 inaccordance with an "underscanning" technique.

Most specifically, in accordance with this third embodiment of theinvention, the TV camera 22 underscans, preferably by a ratio of 5:1,the already magnified image emanating from objective 180 and providedvia splitter 18. This results in a 5:1 magnification of the20X-magnified image emanating from objective 180 and provided viasplitter 18. As a result, a 100X-magnified image of the specimen 14 isdisplayed on TV monitor 24.

The "underscanning" technique employed in accordance with thisembodiment of the invention is carried out by appropriately adjustingthe horizontal scan voltage and vertical sweep voltage of the TV camera22. More specifically, these voltages are adjusted so that thehorizontal scan line has a length equal to approximately 0.4472 of itsadjusted length, and so that the vertical sweep distance (distancebetween scan lines) has a value equal to approximately 0.4472 of itsunadjusted value. In this manner, TV camera 22 will focus the samenumber of scan lines on a smaller area, that is, an area equal toone-fifth of its unadjusted value. Although underscanning does result insome loss in resolution, this is compensated by the 5:1 increase inimage magnification achieved by underscanning.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the microscopic imagedisplay system of the present invention, while FIG. 11 is a top view ofthe fourth embodiment of the microscopic image display system. Thedifference between the fourth embodiment of the invention and the secondembodiment of the invention, discussed above with reference to FIGS. 6and 7, resides in the fact that this embodiment of the invention employsa magnifying lens or Barlow lens 184, the latter being disposed betweenthe objective 180 and the image plane in the second optical path. Thatis to say, lens 184 is disposed at a point in the vicinity of the pointat which lens 26 was disposed in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2).This results in a lengthening of the optical path and an increase in thefocal length. Preferably, lens 184 has a magnification power of 2X or3X, and thus further magnification of the already magnified imageemanating from objective 180 results in production of an image having amagnification of between 40X and 60X. This somewhat further magnifiedimage is displayed on TV monitor 36.

It is to be noted that, in each of the second, third and fourthembodiments discussed above, objective 180 is implemented either by a20X objective (such as that manufactured by Olympus of Japan) or by alithography lens having a large field (such as the lithography lensmanufactured by Tropel Inc. of Rochester, N.Y.

It should also be noted that, since each optical element added to anoptical path introduces some degree of degradation in that path, thefirst embodiment of the invention (that of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) is mostpreferable since, in that embodiment, optical elements are introducedinto the low-power path (the second path) wherein degradation does nothave such a great impact on image quality. However, the second, thirdand fourth embodiments discussed above are also quite feasible andoperable in view of the fact that the number of elements introduced intothe high-power path (the first optical path) are kept to a bare minimum.

Finally, referring to FIGS. 1, 5A and 5B, as discussed in detail above,in accordance with a further feature of the invention, the lensswitching arrangement shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be substituted forthe objective lens 180 of FIGS. 6 thru 11. This will provide themicroscopic image display system with the capability of switchingobjective lens without the need to refocus each time a new lens isswitched into position, and will provide the user with furtherflexibility in the establishment of split-image, multi-power displays.

It is to be understood that the split-image, multi-power microscopeimage display systems and methods of the present invention must complywith the Koler technique (well-known in the art) in order to avoidfocusing of the filament. In brief, every microscope has a filamentwhich generates light which passes through the objective and is focusedby one or more lenses in an objective plane. It is possible, in certainarrangements, to obtain a spurious image resulting from focusing of thefilament. In order to avoid this problem, Koler developed lensarrangements and procedures so that the filament image was positionedquite a distance away, and thus was out of focus insofar as themicroscopic viewer was concerned.

While preferred forms and arrangements have been shown in illustratingthe invention, it is to be understood that various changes in detail andarrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:providing an objective, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification; splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths; .Iadd.providing at least one optical element in the first optical path for .Iaddend.increasing the magnification of the first optical output in said first optical path to produce a third optical output characterized by the second magnification; providing the third optical output to a first camera which produces a first video output characterized by the second magnification;.[.bending.]. .Iadd.providing .Iaddend.the second optical output to .[.direct it toward.]. a second camera which produces a second video output characterized by the first magnification; and processing said first and second video outputs to display first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein .Iadd.one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending step comprises passing.]. .Iadd.second optical output and the third optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said method comprising the step of further inverting said one of .Iaddend.the second optical output .[.through a prism.]. .Iadd.and the third optical output.Iaddend..
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing step comprises mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with the corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising the additional step of producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing an objective comprises selecting one of a plurality of objectives, and wherein each objective comprises a negative-diopter lens with a superimposed positive-diopter lens.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said objective is a lithography lens.
 7. A system for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:an objective lens, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification; splitting means for splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths; magnifying means disposed in said first optical path for increasing the magnification of the first optical output so as to produce a third optical output characterized by the second magnification; a first camera disposed in said first optical path and responsive to said third optical output for producing a first video output characterized by the second magnification; a second camera.[.; bending means for bending.]. .Iadd.disposed in said second optical path and responsive to .Iaddend. the second optical output .[.to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera.]. .Iadd.for .Iaddend.producing a second video output characterized by the first magnification; and display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the magnifying means comprises a diverging lens for diverging the first optical output to produce a diverged optical output comprising the third optical output.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein .Iadd.one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending means comprises a prism disposed at an end of.]. .Iadd.second optical output and the third optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said system comprising inverting means for further inverting said one of .Iaddend.the second optical .[.path and adjacent to said second camera.]. .Iadd.output and the third optical output.Iaddend..
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said objective lens comprises a lithography lens.
 11. The system of claim 7, further comprising mixing means connected to at least one of said first and second cameras for mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with the corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising operator input means for inputting the operator-entered information, and processing means for processing the operator-entered information so as to provide the operator-entered information to said mixer means.
 13. The system of claim 7, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with said display means for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 14. The system of claim 7, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second cameras for receiving a direct optical output therefrom, and for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 15. The system of claim 7, further comprising additional objective lenses and selecting means for selecting one of said objective lenses through which the image of the object passes.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein each objective lens comprises a negative-diopter lens and a superimposed positive-diopter lens.
 17. A method for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:providing an objective, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification; splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths; providing the first optical output via said first optical path to a first camera; operating the first camera in a reduced-scanning mode so that said first camera effectively further magnifies the first optical output to produce a first video output characterized by the second magnification; .[.bending.]. .Iadd.providing .Iaddend.the second optical output to .[.direct it toward.]. a second camera which produces a second video output characterized by the first magnification; and processing said first and second video outputs to display first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein .Iadd.one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending step comprises passing.]. .Iadd.first optical output and the second optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said method comprising the step of further inverting said one of the first optical output and .Iaddend.the second optical output .[.through a prism.]..
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the processing step comprises mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with the corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 20. The method of claim 17, comprising the additional step of producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing an objective comprises selecting one of a plurality of objectives, and wherein each objective comprises a negative-diopter lens with a superimposed positive-diopter lens.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein said objective comprises a lithography lens.
 23. A system for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:an objective lens, characterized by the first magnification, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the first magnification; splitting means for splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths; a first camera disposed in said first optical path, said first camera being operated in a reduced-scanning mode so as to .[.effectively further.]. modify the first optical output and to produce a first video output characterized by the second magnification; a second camera.[.; bending means.]. .Iadd.disposed in said second optical path .Iaddend.for .[.bending the second optical output to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera.]. producing a second video output characterized by the first magnification; and display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the second and first magnifications, respectively.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein .Iadd.one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending means comprises a prism disposed at an end of.]. .Iadd.first optical output and the second optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said system comprising inverting means for further inverting said one of the first optical output and .Iaddend.the second optical .[.path and adjacent to said second camera.]. .Iadd.output.Iaddend..
 25. The system of claim 23, wherein said objective lens comprises a lithography lens.
 26. The system of claim 23, further comprising mixing means connected to at least one of said first and second cameras for mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with the corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 27. The system of claim 26, further comprising operator input means for inputting the operator-entered information, and processing means for processing the operator-entered information so as to provide the operator-entered information to said mixer means.
 28. The system of claim 23, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with said display means for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 29. The system of claim 23, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second cameras for receiving a direct optical output therefrom, and for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 30. The system of claim 23, further comprising additional objective lenses and selecting means for selecting one of said objective lenses through which the image of the object passes.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein each objective lens comprises a negative-diopter lens and a superimposed positive-diopter lens.
 32. A method for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:providing an objective, characterized by a given magnification less than said first and second magnifications, through which the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the given magnification; splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths; increasing the magnification of the first optical output in said first optical path to produce a third optical output characterized by the first magnification; increasing the magnification of the second optical output in said second optical path to produce a fourth optical output characterized by the second magnification; providing the third optical output to a first camera which produces a first video output characterized by the first magnification; .[.bending.]. .Iadd.providing .Iaddend.the fourth optical output to .[.direct it toward.]. a second camera which produces a second video output characterized by the second magnification; and processing said first and second video outputs to display first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the first and second magnifications, respectively.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of increasing the magnification of the second optical output comprises passing the second optical output through a Barlow lens.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein .Iadd.at least one of .Iaddend.the .[.bending step comprises passing.]. .Iadd.third optical output and the fourth optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said method comprising the step of further inverting said at least one of the third optical output and .Iaddend.the fourth optical output .[.through a prism.]..
 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the objective comprises a lithography lens.
 36. The method of claim 32, wherein the processing step comprises mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with the corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 37. The method of claim 32, comprising the additional step of producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 38. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of providing an objective comprises selecting one of a plurality of objectives, and wherein each objective comprises a negative-diopter lens with a superimposed positive-diopter lens.
 39. A system for displaying magnified images of an object having respective first and second magnifications, comprising:an objective lens, characterized by a given magnification less than the first and second magnifications, through which objective lens the image of the object passes to produce an objective optical output having the given magnification; splitting means for splitting the objective optical output into first and second optical outputs for passage through respective first and second optical paths; first magnifying means disposed in said first optical path for magnifying the first optical output to provide a third optical output characterized by the first magnification; second magnifying means disposed in said second optical path for magnifying the second optical output to provide a fourth optical output characterized by the second magnification; a first camera disposed in said first optical path and responsive to said third optical output for producing a first video output characterized by the second magnification; a second camera.[.; bending means.]. .Iadd.disposed in said second optical path and responsive to said fourth optical output .Iaddend.for .[.bending the fourth optical output to direct it toward said second camera, said second camera.]. producing a second video output characterized by the second magnification; and display means responsive to said first and second video outputs for displaying first and second images, respectively, of the object magnified in accordance with the first and second magnifications, respectively.
 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the first magnifying means comprises a diverging lens for diverging the first optical output to produce a diverged optical output comprising the third optical output.
 41. The system of claim 39, wherein said second magnifying means comprises a Barlow lens.
 42. The system of claim 39, wherein said objective lens comprises a lithography lens.
 43. The system of claim 39, wherein g .[.the bending means comprises a prism disposed at an end of.]. .Iadd.at least one of the third optical output and the fourth optical output comprises an inverted image of the object, said system comprising inverting means for further inverting said at least one of the third optical output and .Iaddend.the .[.second.]. .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.optical .[.path and adjacent to said second camera.]. .Iadd.output.Iaddend..
 44. The system of claim 39, further comprising mixing means connected to at least one of said first and second cameras for mixing at least one of said first and second video outputs with analog representations of operator-entered information so as to display the operator-entered information with the corresponding at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 45. The system of claim 44, further comprising operator input means for inputting the operator-entered information, and processing means for processing the operator-entered information so as to provide the operator-entered information to said mixer means.
 46. The system of claim 39, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with said display means for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 47. The system of claim 39, comprising photographic printer means operatively associated with at least one of said first and second cameras for receiving a direct optical output therefrom, and for producing a hardcopy record of at least one of the first and second images of the object.
 48. The system of claim 39, further comprising additional objective lenses and selecting means for selecting one of said objective lenses through which the image of the object passes.
 49. The system of claim 48, wherein each objective lens comprises a negative-diopter lens and a superimposed positive-diopter lens. 